Outcomes of isolated meniscal repairs in patients over 40 years of age

Introduction Meniscal repair is an accepted surgical option for meniscal tears. However, there remains trepidation with regard to offering such surgery to older patients. We aim to evaluate the outcomes in these such patients. Methodology A single surgeons log was used to identify patients who underwent meniscal repair and were over the age of 40. Patients having concurrent anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were excluded. Demographic data, surgical data and outcomes (pain visual analogue score (VAS); single assessment numerical evaluation (SANE) and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome joint replacement (KOOS Jr) score) were collected prospectively. Final outcomes were collected between 6–12 months following surgery. Results 24 meniscal tears in 22 knees (22 patients) were identified. Mean age was 52.2 (range; 40.6-70.3). Morphology of the tears were medial meniscus posterior root tear 10 (42; medial meniscus posterior horn tear 9 (38; lateral meniscus posterior horn tear 2 (8.3; lateral meniscus posterior root tear 1 (4.2; lateral meniscus body tear 1 (4.2 and lateral meniscus anterior horn tear 1 (4.2. Response rate was 86p=0.0001); SANE (p=0.0001) and KOOS Jr Score (p=0.0005) were found. 684 respectively. Conclusion Meniscal repair in patients over 40 years of age is an acceptable treatment with significant improvements in patients reported outcome measures, SANE and pain VAS.